During her six-year racing career, she won 47 of 82 starts and retired as the second-highest money-earning filly in American history.
She repeatedly defeated the top colts of the day including the future Hall of Famers, Hanover and Kingston.
[1] She was sold as a yearling by breeder Daniel Swigert to lawyer and businessman James Ben Ali Haggin for $2,600.
As the gap narrowed, The Bard tried to respond and the two horses battled down the stretch until the final strides, when Firenze drew off to win by two lengths.
[3] The Bard was subsequently injured, but Firenze faced a strong challenge in the Champion Stakes from Kingston and his stablemate Santalene.
[2] Firenze started her five-year-old campaign with two walkovers at Jerome Park but then suffered a series of defeats.
Firenze trailed the field for nearly a mile, then closed to fourth at the top of the stretch and moved to the lead with a furlong remaining.
[9] Her form was up and down in her next few starts, with three losses to Euros, Raceland and Kingston respectively, offset by a sweepstakes win at Monmouth Park.
Her jockey then asked her to run and she unleashed a burst of speed, drawing away from the field "as easily as a duck shucks raindrops from its back".
[2] At her retirement Firenze had achieved the second highest earnings for a filly in American history behind Miss Woodford and just ahead of Yo Tambien.
After racing for six years, Firenze retired to her owner's Rancho Del Paso stud farm near Sacramento, California.